Stevenson Backs UN Gender Equality Campaign

Stewart Stevenson, SNP MSP for Banffshire & Buchan Coast, has lent his support to the UN gender equality ‘HeforShe’ campaign today (Tuesday).

The campaign seeks to build solidarity amongst men for women’s equality as a basic human right that benefits all of society. It asks men across the world to sign the HeForShe Commitment, which pledges them to stand up against discrimination and violence against women. It has already been signed by almost 480,000 men across the world including the Presidents of the USA, Japan and Malawi.

Mr Stevenson has called on men across Banffshire and Buchan Coast to join him in signing and to push the number of commitments to over 500,000. He also called for Prime Minister David Cameron to join other global leaders including President Obama in becoming an Impact Champion for the campaign.

Mr Stevenson said:

“Women make up more than half of the world’s population – yet women and girls across the world still face stark inequalities, discrimination and violence simply because of their gender. We all, men and women, must stand in solidarity against this injustice.

“The SNP is unequivocal on this – gender equality is a human rights issue and the realisation of true equality will benefit all of society.

“I would encourage all men in across Banffshire and Buchan Coast to log on to heforshe.org and sign the commitment. The campaign is tantalizingly close to reaching half a million commitments – with a concerted effort Scotland can help them reach this mark.

“It is disappointing, however, that while Presidents and Prime Ministers across the world have signed up as ‘Impact Champion’, David Cameron has avoided taking on this role. Mr Cameron made a big play of his commitment to equality in his conference speech this week – taking this simple step will show this is more than just idle words.”